HomeLibraryRe-entered SatellitesFram No. 18L
🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Fram No. 18L

Re-entered 29 Jun 1981

Fram No. 18L (NORAD 12517, COSPAR 1981-055A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Jun 1981, launched on 16 Jun 1981 on the Fram mission. It was operated by PRIR as part of the Fram programme. The spacecraft was built by TSSKB on the Fram bus, with a mass of 2,455 kg. Like most satellites in low orbits, it was gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until re-entry. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.

1981
launched
1981
re-entered
0
years on orbit
2,455
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched16 Jun 1981 · on the Fram mission
Operational29 Jun 1981 · entered service
Retired29 Jun 1981 · end of operational service
Re-entered29 Jun 1981 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID12517
COSPAR1981-055A
TypeSatellite
OperatorPRIR
Country / StateSU
ManufacturerTSSKB
BusFram
Mass2,455 kg
ProgrammeFram
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude212 × 235 km
Inclination82.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Fram No. 18L?

Fram No. 18L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 29 Jun 1981, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1981. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Fram No. 18L re-enter the atmosphere?

Fram No. 18L re-entered on 29 Jun 1981, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Fram No. 18L?

Fram No. 18L was operated by PRIR and built by TSSKB (SU).

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.